Skodas in the capital.

Here is one local Skoda I know about.

Yep, the 1.8 is amazingly sporty having test-driven them recently but I ended up getting the Scout for the 4WD option…so, hello nanzan, looks like there are 2 of us Skodarites out there!

The 1.8T in the Skoda is directly used in the high end Audi’s. 0-100 in arund 6 seconds and I can attest to that :-)))

Don’t much care one way or the other about the car, but I reckon the commercial where they build the Skoda sandcastle has to be one of the best in years.

That being said if you want the engineering prowess that you get from VAG, the Skoda may be a good place to start, especially if you have a more limited budget.

Jonathan, always nice to get a better class of post on this site – thank you.

Yes, it seems that assembly location is very important for all marques, including the Volkswagen Auto Group.

The Skoda Octavias being sold in Australia are all built in the Czech Republic, just outside of Prague. The more conservative-styled Octavias are selling well here, apparently, with sales for the Roomsters, which have a funkier design, a little slower.

Pre WW2 Skoda were very well regarded in Eastern Europe. When the war came the Germans even used Skoda engines in their Tiger tanks. Once the ‘lada” people took over the country then they went down hill (but not up I know) The Skoda Estelle was basic by anyones standard, but good in the snow! probably why when hotted up they made great ralley cars? Skoda also made tractors under the the name “Zetor”. They were pretty good value. Skoda’s best claim to fame must be the sheer number of jokes about them, particularly in Europe. ” Why to Skodas have heated rear windows? To keep youer hands warm when pushing them!” Etc.

Kramer said :

Interesting how many poo-poo the Skodas – how many of you have ever driven one? let alone even sat inside one??

The Skoda is effectively a variation on a VAG theme, but you can appreciate the price / quality differences by sitting in and comparing the Skoda Octavia, VW Passat and the Audi A6 models.

Build quality depending on where a car is manufactured tends to be an issue with VAG cars. I used to own a VW “New Beetle” (2000) which was made in Mexico, I bought it new and the build quality was very poor and the car literally started falling apart after a few years. Three years ago I traded it for a VW Passat (1999) that was built in Germany. The German built car has a much better build quality and is not suffering anything like the problems I was experiencing on the newer Beetle. You only have to scratch the surface on an internet search and you’ll see what I mean about owners complaining about build quality out of certain VAG manufacturing plants.

That being said if you want the engineering prowess that you get from VAG, the Skoda may be a good place to start, especially if you have a more limited budget.

I’m now waiting for someone to point out that the Lexus is nothing more than simply a variant of the Toyota models.

KFC sponsors the Australian cricket team. Do they get street cred in your books Kramer?

Interesting how many poo-poo the Skodas – how many of you have ever driven one? let alone even sat inside one??

Skoda have flitted around the edges of the PWRC / Group N international rally scene for quite a few years now, which is more than many vehicle manufacturers can claim. So that’s gotta say something for build quality and performance.

BTW – they were also the primary sponsor the Tour de France this year, so they get more cred in my books!

johnboy said :

Mr Evil said :

I hate Skodas.

Why?

I suppose I was being a bit harsh: I hate the ugly rear-engined Skodas that used to be around in the 60s-70s.

Skodas of old were certainly Euro-garbage of the worst kind, but the new models seem to be well sorted cars. I wouldn’t buy one personally (I don’t really trust Euro reliability), but I’m sure most owners are happy (with the latest models).

Having a club for these is probably going a tad far, though.

I don’t mean to poo-poo this thread but car club’s are usually for people who own a car which is:

-in some way unique
-has performance
-is collectable

The Skoda fails to meet any of these criterion.

Ah Skodas, the styling of a man who only had a ruler, the handling of a horse in gumboots, and the acceleration of a Galapagas Tortoise.

or to quote hitchhikers guide: looks like a fish, moves like a fish, steers like a cow…

Mr Evil said :

I hate Skodas.

Why?

I hate Skodas.

No, “we” work at the ANU.

How about you?

Nanzan, work for Skoda do we?

When I rode the trans-Siberian to China the engines were Skodas too.